Sunday, August 1, 2010

Project Genesis 11

Be Your Own Entertainment!
...














........
Seen above are just a few of my antique books.
.
I find myself overloaded with electronic input: televisions that are left on all day, piped-in music everywhere from the elevator to the mall, and phones that ring at inappropriate times. And, contradictory though it seems as I sit here blogging, I believe even computers need to be turned off frequently, both for our own sake and for the sake of the planet. Here are five ways to entertain oneself without turning anything on, (except the imagination)!
.
1) Read More: The whole world is yours in books, and uses no fuel to explore. As well as providing entertainment, reading about the ideas and solutions presented by others to shared problems will jumpstart your own innate brilliance. Of course, buying used books and passing them on to friends is the kindest way to read.
.
2) Make art: We all have an artist in us waiting to be unleashed. Think back to childhood…did you love to draw or sculpt people out of clay? Become a child again and explore possibilities. Try creating with found objects only, and reuse what you have on hand. Even a cereal box can be the base for a work of art.

In this piece, 'Art is Life', everything I used is reclaimed material, even the canvas it's mounted on..



......
......
......
......
......
3) Exercise more: This does not have to mean joining a fitness club or buying a new bike. A brisk, daily walk through your neighbourhood will freshen both body and soul. Be sure to carry a re-useable bag with you and pick up litter along the way. Once home, recycle what you can and take the rest to the appropriate discard site. Don’t forget to view everything as potential art material!
.
4) Volunteer: This benefits both giver and receiver: it is a simple truth that helping others makes one feel good. Seniors’ homes are a good place to start. Read to someone whose sight is going. Take along the books you’re finished with and stock up their shelves. Refresh them frequently.
.


5) Write letters: Writing is becoming a lost art in this era of electronic messaging. But remember the thrill you felt in the past upon receiving an envelope covered with bright stamps and the beautifully cursive flow of an address? Put your thoughts down on paper: tell someone what you love about them, or offer a schedule of visits to a shut-in. You can use recycled paper, or save your scraps and make your own. A library book will teach you how easy papermaking is.


I think I have kept every letter that was ever written to me!
.
The possibilities are endless! Unplug yourself for a while. Embrace stillness. Find a quiet spot, and think about what stirred your youthful passion. What are you passionate about now, and how can that passion be used to benefit those around you, as well as yourself?
.
I’m certain both you and the world will be richer for this contemplation....
.
Many thanks to Suzan at Old Grey Mare for hosting this project! It is more important than ever that we work together to reduce, reuse and recycle. To see more ideas you can readily put into use, please visit

18 comments:

oldgreymare said...

Oh I love this one too! You guys are all so great. I feel I am reaping so many extra benefits from Project Genesis, ones I never could have imagined. Wonderful wonderful caring women....it renews my hopes and fills my heart.

Suzan

Sherry Blue Sky said...

This is truly wonderful, Lynette. I love every word and the Art is Life collage is amazing. Super!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

p.s. I LOVE the photo with the old books.

erin's art and gardens said...

hi lynette, well i just love your thoughts here today and the fact that i have found your blog!! "the gift of simplicity" on your sidebar is brilliant and what i try strive for. i am a new follower here and look forward to further posts...
all the best,
erin
p.s. love your collage!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Lynette,
So happy to meet you via Project Genesis! LOVE your post! We kicked the TV & radio out of the house 7 years ago for all the same reasons you have shared today, and I haven't missed it a bit!
I just added your blog to my blogroll and hope to visit you often!
Wishing you & yours a lovely day,
Zuzu

Ella said...

I love your way of thinking; Your collage it beautiful, too~ Going back to entertaining ourselves with peaceful, soulful methods. You remind us to move throughout our lives by making lingering memories! Precious~

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

Back to the simple life...so easy...and so hard!

Olive said...

Lynette, what an inspiring post. My Joe says I retired so I could read more books. He is just about right! I love to read just about anything. I exercise by keeping the yard in order. Now on the art side you have challenged me...I will have to see what I can muster. Hugs ♥ olive

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Great ideas, love the part about writing letters - I feel the same.
I'd like to see board games become popular again - so hard to get our grandchildren to play them when they have the latest technology gadget that has way better games.
We should have a no technology day declared when only the basics of life are observed - wouldn't that be fun?

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I'm getting ready to unplug for a bit to get some things accomplished and to be creative. I'm going to have to relandscape our yard.

Thanks for this...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Lynette
Excellent ideas.. you know I normally work in IT and with blogging also that makes use of much of a 24day online.. not good for us or the environment.... recently my internet has been useless and I've been offline more and more.. you are so right.. we need to find good old fashioned ways to amuse ourselves.... and reduce our reliance on electricity..

Have a lovely week.. xxx Julie

Scrapping With Sherry said...

I loved your artwork and your message. I felt really good after reading it. I read often...I have a craft book collection and would rather read about my crafts than cruise the internet, I still love the art of writing a letter, I craft several hours a day and give to charities. The computer and exercise are a different story as I am addicted to the blog world lately and exercise, well lets not go there...

I came to your blog today to introduce myself. My name is Sherry and I am one of the newest Bloggerette Sorority Sisters. I am a newbie blogger (3 wks!) so I missed the Rush, but I look forward to taking part in the fun in the future. I would be honored if you came by my blog for a visit at http://scrappingwithsherry1.blogspot.com/ Thanks and I hope to see you there!

Take Care~ Sherry F.

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Wonderful post and such a timely renminder :-) and I LOVE your artowrk! You are a many-talented woman that's for sure!

Unknown said...

Yes, read and read and read...that's how we learn.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dear Lynette,

Wow, am I glad you came to visit me so I could fine you! A kindred spirit, I can see! Magic books, imagination, daydreaming, reading, exercising....does it get any better? Thank you for your sincere and sweet comments....I so love finding nice photos (my own are so poor!) and trying to weave a nice metaphor here and there! I see you are from BC where many of my dear readers and friends are from. I hope you know the likes of Koralee, Rosie, Carmelina and I believe Brenda....they are such a delightful bunch of dreamers and lovers of beauty. Please come by again for more daydreaming, French fun, faeries and other nonsense!!!

Happy reading...what are you reading at the moment? I have a wonderful French book that I am reading at the moment; I just love the way the author plays with language about language, using words and linguistics as the main characters!!!

Enjoy your week, and please come back! Anita

Razmataz said...

I agree, we need to get back to basics. Basic enjoyment and simpler ways.

Shellbelle said...

All lovely ways to spend your time in a meaningful way. I've taken recently to writing letters to my children and my granddaughter. They love them so and it made me stop and really think about things I want to share with them and tell them about before its too late.

Elizabeth said...

Oh...yes. I feel like I might have written this in a journal at one time. Your thoughts mirror my own in so many ways. Your old books look like they smell delicious. Books, art and restricted areas. What a wonderful way to spend your time :) You are so lucky to have a partner in crime that enjoys these escapes as much as you do.